Facing a White House directive to develop a plan for cutting its workforce, NASA has received a one-week extension. In a late March 14 statement, the agency cited several ongoing missions as the reason for the delay. “In compliance with the President’s Workforce Optimization Initiative, NASA continues to work on our broader reorganization plan,” the agency stated. “Considering a variety of agency priorities this week, including the launch of SPHEREx and PUNCH, as well as preparations for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 launch Friday, and other agency missions, the agency received a one-week extension on our initial submission.”
A February 11 executive order mandated agencies to create plans for “large-scale” layoffs. “Agency Heads shall promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force (RIFs), consistent with applicable law,” the order stated, with initial plans due within 30 days. Further direction, outlined in a February 26 memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), detailed the requirements for Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans (ARRPs).
Phase 1 ARRPs require agencies to identify ways to “achieve efficiencies” through hiring freezes, attrition, and RIFs; essential jobs exempt from RIFs; and potential agency or subcomponent elimination or consolidation. Phase 2, due April 14, demands a “future-state organizational chart” reflecting consolidations and relocation plans, along with identifying areas for future large-scale RIFs. NASA has already initiated layoffs, closing the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy; the Office of the Chief Scientist; and a branch of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, resulting in 23 job losses. NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro stated the agency is employing “a thoughtful approach” to future layoffs.
Rumors of a potential 50% cut to NASA’s science budget in the fiscal year 2026 proposal have caused alarm. “Cutting NASA’s science budget by 50% would be a devastating misstep for the country,” said Jim Green, former NASA chief scientist. He highlighted the research, inspiration, and soft-power benefits of NASA’s science programs, warning that reduced funding would “cripple these efforts, ceding leadership in space to other nations and stifling scientific advancements that fuel economic growth.” While NASA officials have called such a drastic cut “complete speculation,” they acknowledged the possibility.